SANTA ANITA : Stormy But Valid Will Race in Las Cienegas

Stormy But Valid, winner of two stakes in January, will head a field of six older fillies and mares in the $75,000-added Las Cienegas Handicap at Santa Anita on Saturday.

The sprint on the hillside turf course at about 6 1/2 furlongs also has drawn Hot Novel, who comes off a victory in the overnight B. Thoughtful Stakes on the same layout.

Stormy But Valid opened the winter-spring meeting with victories in the Las Flores and Santa Monica Handicaps, both sprints on the main track. Her latest start came in the Monrovia Handicap, run on the hill, and she checked in fifth, beaten only a length. She had scored in the Life’s Magic Stakes at Gulfstream Park in November.

With six runners, the Las Cienegas will gross $80,850 and net the winner $47,100.

The full field, from the rail: Warning Zone, Alex Solis riding at 116 pounds; Hot Novel, Eddie Delahoussaye, 118; Light Ice, Kent Desormeaux, 115; Stormy But Valid, Gary Stevens, 120; Sexy Slew, Pat Valenzuela, 113, and Stylish Star, 117.

Hot Novel was third in both the Santa Monica and Monrovia before capturing the B. Thoughtful in her latest try. She has hit the board in each of her three starts on this course.

Stylish Star won the Dahlia Handicap at Hollywood Park in December after finishing third in the Louis R. Rowan Handicap during the Oak Tree. She accounted for the Del Mar Oaks earlier last year.

Warning Zone won the Autumn Days Handicap on the grassy hillside last fall but hasn’t won since.